Improvement in car-couplings



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEWIS CASS EATON, OF DOYLESTOWN, OHIO.

I M PROVE M E N T I N C A R C O U P L l N G S Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 158,053, dated December 22, 1874 application filed December 4, 1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, LEWIS CASS EATON, of Doylestown, Wayne county, Ohio, have invented certain Improvements in Oar-Couplings, of which the following is a specification The object of my invention is a car-coupling, which acts automatically, to connect the cars when brought together, and to disconnect them when either car assumes a lower position than the other, and this I accomplish by the combination, in each draw-head A, of a stationary hooked projection or lug, a, ribs 1) b, at both sides of the latter, and a movable retainer, 01, arranged above the lug. The link X, resting upon the edges of the ribs 12 b, incloses the lug a, and is maintained in a horizontal position by the retaiuerd, consisting, in the present instance, of a block or lever hung at its inner end to a pin, *5, having at its under side a lug, e, and bearing upon the inner end of the link. The link, when thus held and introduced into the draw-head of an opposite car, will slide up the inclined face of the lug a, raising the retainer, and falling over and inclosing the lug, which then prevents its withdrawal, the cars thus being coupled.

Should the axle of either car break, or any accident occur, causing the end of one of the cars to assume a position lower than that of the other, the link will vibrate on the ribs b I) of the highest car, and its inner end will be raised above the end of the lug, from which it will escape, uncoupling the cars, the retainer yielding freely to the movement of the link.

To uncouple the cars under ordinary circumstances, the draw-head should be provided with appliances for raising the inner end of the link above the lug ar-as, for instance, a sliding pin, f, extending through an opening in the draw-head at the rear of the lug, and secured to a frame, g, which may be operated by a lever or other suitable device.

The retainer, instead of being hinged, as described, may slide in the draw head, as shown in Fig. where it is represented as ha"- ing a projection, y, for elevating the link above the lug when the retainer is raised, or a spring, yielding to the link when the latter is introduced or vibrated, may be employed.

1 do not claim, broadly. a draw-head provided with a hooked projection for catching the link, and with a hinged dog for retaining the link in a horizontal position; but

I claim The combination, with a draw-head, of a lug, a, and ribs b bat the sides of the lug, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

- LEWIS CASS EATON. Witnesses:

GEORGE W. EVER'1S,

GEORGE E. FENDENHIEM. 

